Israeli attacks on journalists in Gaza 'violated the laws of war'

Updated 11pm: Four Israeli attacks on journalists and media facilities in Gaza during the November 2012 conflict violated the laws of war by targeting civilians and civilian objects, says a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). It has made a detailed investigation into the incidents.

In the attacks, two Palestinian cameramen were killed, at least 10 media workers were wounded and four media offices were badly damaged. A two-year-old boy was killed in one shelling.

HRW says it found no evidence to support the contention buy the Israeli government that each of the four attacks was on a legitimate military target.

"Just because Israel says a journalist was a fighter or a TV station was a command centre does not make it so," said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's Middle East director.

"Journalists who praise Hamas and TV stations that applaud attacks on Israel may be propagandists, but that does not make them legitimate targets under the laws of war."

Under international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, journalists and media workers are civilians and therefore immune from attack unless they are directly participating in hostilities.

Updated add: A spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces issued a statement saying that the IDF "acts in accordance with the laws of armed conflict, despite the ongoing deliberate violations and abuse of these laws by the terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip."

He added: "The details of the events mentioned in the [HRW] report are being checked. Once this process is complete, we will be able to provide a comprehensive response."